Middle school teachers may work in public or private environments with students in intermediate grades, usually six-eight, often specializing in a particular subject. Public school middle school teachers must have a bachelor’s degree and possibly a master’s degree or coursework toward one, complete an approved teacher education program, and be licensed; private school requirements vary. During middle school, teachers help students delve deeper into specific subjects such as English, history, biology, mathematics, and foreign languages. Middle school teachers prepare and deliver lessons and exams, maintain classroom discipline, evaluate student performances, and meet with parents and school administrators to discuss children’s progress. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the 2007 median earnings for middle school teachers was $47,900; the highest-paid 10% made about more than $75,010 while the lowest-paid 10% made less than $32,630. The top paying industry for middle school teachers was psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals with an annual mean wage of $51,710, while the top paying states for middle school teachers were New York, Connecticut, California, Rhode Island, and New Jersey. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there were 658,000 middle school teachers in the US in 2006 and projects there will be 732,000 in 2016 for an increase of 11%. The BLS describes this growth in job prospects "as fast as average." The most need will continue to be in areas such as mathematics, science (especially chemistry and physics), bilingual education, and foreign languages. To become a middle school teacher, you will generally need a bachelor’s degree and possibly a master’s degree or coursework towards one. Bachelor’s Degrees Western Governors University: BA Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8) Western Governors University: BA Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12) Western Governors University: BA Social Science (5-12) Western Governors University: BA Science (5-9) Western Governors University: BA Science (5-12, Bioscience) Western Governors University: BA Science (5-12, Chemistry) Western Governors University: BA Science (5-12, Geosciences) Western Governors University: BA Science (5-12, Physics) Master’s Degrees Capella University: K-12 Studies in Education Kaplan University: MS Education/Teaching Literacy and Language (6-12) Kaplan University: MS Education/Teaching Mathematics (6-8) Kaplan University: MS Education/Teaching Science (6-12) Walden University: MS Education/Integrating Technology in the Classroom (K-12) Walden University: MS Education/Literacy and Learning in the Content Areas (Grades 6-12) Walden University: MS Education/Mathematics (Grades 6-8) Walden University: MS Education/Middle Level Education (Grades 5-8) Walden University: MS Education/Science (K-8) Western Governors University: MA Teaching (K-8) Doctorate Degrees Capella University: K-12 Studies in Education Jones International University: EdD K-12 Leadership Walden University: K-12 Education Leadership